Top Oxford Art & Culture

Follow in the footsteps of famous former residents like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis—and discover many of Oxford’s top landmarks in just a couple hours—on this introductory walking tour. Meet your group in central Oxford, and set off on foot. You’ll see key attractions like the Bodleian Library and Sheldonian Theatre, will explore the university area, and you will see many of the elegant colleges from the outside. Note: book an afternoon tour to tour inside the colleges (subject to availability).

Get an overview of the City of the Dreaming Spires on this guided, small-group walking tour. Pass by some of the key attractions around this historic university town, including Carfax Tower, Christ Church College, Queen’s College, The Bridge of Sighs, Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian Library and more. Learn about the city’s long and rich history from your guide.

Discover the filming locations of the Harry Potter movies on a 90-minute guided walking tour with an Oxford University alumni and a small group. Visit sites such as the New College. Along the way, also learn about J.K. Rowling’s relationship with Oxford.

Exploring Oxford’s historic streets and colleges can be confusing on foot, especially if you’re short on time. This hop-on hop-off bus tour makes it easy to get around the city while seeing its top sights, with a choice of 24- or 48-hour passes that let you create your own itinerary. Ride past highlights such as University of Oxford colleges (including filming locations from the “Harry Potter™” movies), Oxford Castle, and the Bodleian Library, one of the world’s oldest public libraries.

Explore the highlights of Oxford's two major art collections, at the Ashmolean Museum and Christ Church Picture Gallery, with an art historian and Sotheby’s specialist. Join me on a rich and entertaining journey through the history of European art, from Ancient Greece to French Impressionism. On the way, you’ll discover masterpieces ranging from Uccello's Hunt in the Forest, to Monet’s Sunset at Sea. Half way through, we’ll have a coffee break at Ashmolean’s Rooftop café. We’ll then walk to Christ Church Picture Gallery, part of Christ Church, one Oxford’s most famous colleges, to see masterpieces from their collection of mainly Italian paintings and drawings, including Botticelli's paintings of the Sybils, and Head of Young Woman by Verrocchio, one of the most beautiful drawings that remains from the Florentine Renaissance. During the experience, you'll be introduced to specialist skills, including spotting painting restorations and identifying 15th century paper.

Explore Oxford University’s famous regatta course on this Thames River sightseeing cruise. Hop aboard your sightseeing boat in the heart of Oxford and cruise out onto the famous waterway. Learn more about the city’s rich history from your guide, and discover local landmarks such as Folly Bridge, Christchurch College, the Oxford University boathouses and the Meadows.

Squeeze all of Oxford's most popular sights into one day with this small-group, full-day tour. Explore the oldest Colleges in Oxford with the knowledge of your Oxford student tour guide and step inside Oxford's largest College with its own deer park. Then, continue your tour with a trip back in time at England's most iconic library. Harry Potter fan? Upgrade your ticket to include access to Christ Church, the famed college.

Explore the fascinating world of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis on this guided walking tour through Oxford. See iconic locations such as Exeter College, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Bodleian Library, and Magdalen College, where the Inklings met. Discover how these writers inspired and helped one another. Enjoy a visit to Magdalen College, where Lewis spent nearly three decades. This tour provides a unique insight into the lives of these authors and the city that inspired them. - 2.5 hour guided walking tour of Oxford’s literary landmarks - Visit Magdalen College, where Lewis worked from 1925 to 1954 - Suitable for teenagers and adults; private tours are also available for families with young children - Learn from an expert guide about the lives of Tolkien and Lewis and their friendship - Learn how Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) met the young Alice Liddell at Christ Church College and how she inspired him to write Alice in Wonderland! - Avoid the crowds - maximum group 12 people

Discover the Harry Potter movie locations of Oxford on this walking tour. Visit the famous Bodleian Library to see the hall used as Hogwarts’ Infirmary in many movies, and view other locations in one or two of Oxford’s oldest colleges. As you walk, enjoy a fun Harry Potter quiz, and learn about Oxford University and other famous children’s books written in the city. Entrance fees to the Bodleian and select colleges are included.

Walk the halls of one of the world’s oldest and most famous universities on this walking tour of Oxford University. Get a glimpse of student life as you peek inside the famous Bodleian Library and see landmarks like the University Church of St. Mary, Radcliffe Camera, and Trinity College. Learn about the prestigious university’s famous alumni, hear fascinating stories and anecdotes about its history, and see on-campus locations used in the Harry Potter films.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace is home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Set in over 2,000 acres of beautiful Parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, the exquisite 18th century Baroque Palace is surrounded by sweeping lawns, formal gardens and the magnificent lake. Discover over 300 years of history, architecture and artefacts Stroll around the majestic Formal Gardens and 10 other gardens Explore the Butterfly House and Stables Exhibition

Engage with nature on a miniature scale as you create your own custom terrarium on this private crafting experience. Bring the whole family for this activity that’s suitable for all ages, as you design a tiny garden filled with your choice of plants, housed within a small glass terrarium for you to take away.

See more of the picturesque Cotswolds than you could on your own on this full-day trip from Moreton-in-Marsh or Stratford-upon-Avon. Showcasing the region's must-see villages that can be tricky to find on your own, this excursion visits Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Camden, and lesser-known sights that many Cotswolds tourists miss. You have ample free time to explore, along with commentary and tips for places to eat or see through the day.

Feel like you’ve gone back in time on this 1-hour tour of Oxford Castle. Led by a costumed guide who plays a real-life character from history, you’ll explore the Norman castle’s medieval remains, from the prison to the 900-year-old crypt. Climb up the steps to the top of St. George’s Tower, discover the Debtors’ Tower and the prison’s D-Wing, and make your way to the mound of the 11th-century motte-and-bailey castle.

With a guide, you'll visit the Divinity School film site at the Bodleian Library. Ponder how studying at Oxford University compares to being a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and learn a bit about Oxford's history as your guide tailors the tour to the interests of everyone in your group.

Discover the picturesque beauty of the Cotswolds on this new day tour from Oxford with an established, award-winning local company! Visit charming villages like Bampton (the real-life 'Downton'!), and enjoy free time to explore the idyllic surroundings of Shilton, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford. With insights from fun, friendly, local driver-guides, you'll learn about the rich history and culture of the Cotswolds while enjoying a leisurely day in the countryside. Ideal for solo travelers, couples, or small groups seeking an affordable and enjoyable day trip experience. - Full-day tour departs central Oxford at 09:30 and returns by 16:30 - Explore Bampton, Shilton, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Burford - Travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus with a local guide - Free time at each location to enjoy shops, cafes, and stunning views

Explore the world of ‘The Inklings’—the mid-20th-century writers’ group that included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien—on this private Oxford walk. Rather than researching locations yourself, let a guide show you where the writers worked and relaxed. Visit Exeter College where Tolkien studied; and see Lewis’ Magdalen College and other sights while learning history and literary tales you’d otherwise miss. A choice of departure times gives you flexibility.

As darkness falls, Oxford’s haunted history stirs to life! Journey through the oldest parts of the medieval city, uncovering its grim and gruesome past. Hear of murders and executions, phantoms and spirits, ancient libraries and unsolved mysteries—and the fascinating history behind them! From Martyrs Cross, where bishops burned in Bloody Mary’s reign, wander down shadowy streets to Dead Man's Walk, where a spectral soldier guards the city walls. Learn how Oxford’s brooding architecture has inspired storytellers like Tolkien, Lewis and Wilde, and hosted literary icons from Hamlet to Harry Potter. As you walk the moonlit passageways, your guide will share horrible histories and spectral stories from across the ages. They may even tell of their eerie experiences on Oxford's most haunted lane... if they're sure the poltergeist isn’t listening! Join us—and the ghosts of centuries past—for a tour of Oxford's macabre history, fantasy heritage and sinister tales to haunt your imagination…

Enjoy the iconic Oxford experience of punting on the River Cherwell without doing the hard work on this private tour led by an Oxford University student. Relax and take in views of key landmarks, colleges, and literary inspirations as you glide along the river with your student guide directing the punt.

Explore Oxford, the city of dreamy steeples, discovering its 26 iconic places of interest in one day. This 5km tour takes you to the heart of history with stops at Covered Market, Oxford Castle and Prison and the famous Bodleian Library. Admire architectural wonders like the Radcliffe Camera and the Sheldonian Theatre, while enjoying captivating anecdotes about the world’s oldest university. This route, ideal for history and culture lovers, guarantees you a total immersion in Oxford's heritage. - 5 km walking tour through the historic centre of Oxford - Discover 26 monuments and major sites of the city - Enjoy historical anecdotes and local legends - Easy access for visitors, ideal for a day of exploration

Admire the highlights of England’s Cotswolds on this full-day, small-group tour from Oxford. Traveling by air-conditioned minivan with a driver-guide, stop to explore villages such as Great Tew and Stow-on-the-Wold. En route, enjoy lunch (own expense) in Burford, stroll around Bourton-on-the-Water, and visit the village and 15th-century ruins of Minster Lovell. Includes transport and central Oxford pickup and drop-off, with entrance fees at your expense.

The Cotswolds' prettiest villages are spread across narrow country lanes that coaches can't reach. This private tour puts in a luxury Mercedes-Benz handles the back roads with ease, delivering you to stops like Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, and Stow-on-the-Wold. Your itinerary is designed around your interests, with optional pauses at farm shops and village bakeries.

On this fully guided walking tour of Oxford’s must-see top 10 highlights, visitors can discover the treasures of one of the greatest university cities in the world. This tour offers the best opportunity to see the very best of Oxford. Starting from the heart of Oxford's historical centre, your expert local guide offers a wonderful engaging tour through the vibrant historical streets of Oxford visiting both well-known sites and hidden gems where visitors can see, and experience so much more, than they could on their own. Packed full of incredible insights and up-close historical visits, including the Bridge of Sighs, the 14th-century New College, and magnificent Divinity Library, this interactive, three hour tour is the essential guide into Oxford city and England’s fascinating history. Visit Oxford’s Top 10, including Bridge of Sighs, the 13th century New College as well as the magnificent Divinity Library, where many of the Harry Potter moves were filmed.